Robot Wars Training Workshops by BEEES

In the run-up to our long-anticipated Robot Wars event, the University of Bristol’s Bristol Electrical and Electronic Engineering Society (BEEES) have decided to host three training workshops. The aim of these is to allow teams to come up with ideas for their robots while being provided with additional support. For this, we teamed up with both RS Components and Bristol University Industry Led Design Society (BUILD) to give our members the best experience we can.

During the first training workshop, our president, Charn Procter, briefed our budding competitors on the rules and regulations – or the boring stuff! Our main objective though was for the teams to come away with some ideas. More importantly, whether their ideas would be feasible to build in the few weeks remaining before Christmas.

Teams also had the chance to receive a rundown on how to use the 3D printers. This was mostly aimed at first year students who were unfamiliar with the student workshop however. The 3D printers are necessary for making the actual bodies of the robots; some students will often print accessories or mechanical parts as well.

The second training workshop was run by RS Components’ University programme using their DesignSpark Mechanical software. Although the workshop covered 3D design and printing, it was intended to suit all abilities and previous experience. This was a success as we had many students from different year groups sign up! The workshop went to basic tools; to navigating the different viewpoints; to downloading components from their website to put into a design.

The team from RS were very efficient and professional. Those floating around the room were more than willing to help if someone got stuck; this meant that the flow of the workshop wasn’t interrupted. Students who attended the workshop found it to be very interesting and useful – even those who were good at using design software already.

For our third workshop, we booked out the student workshop for one day to allow students to come down and work on their robots when it suited them. This was different to a normal day because, we had committee members from BEEES around to offer help and advice to any teams that were unsure about anything.

This workshop allowed teams to use their new knowledge on 3D design and printing form RS Components. It also gave them the chance to check out the competition and alter their defence strategies accordingly…

All members are looking forward to the main event, it’s looking like it will be a good one!